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' v C. J. BENZ. Apparatus for Preserving Grapes and other Fruit" No.223,759. Patented Jan. 20,1880.

. WITNESSES WK MPErERS, PHOTOLITHOGRAPHER, WASHINGTON D C UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

CARL J. BENZ, OF HUDSON, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR PRESERVING GRAPES AND OTHER FRUIT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,759, dated January20, 1880.

Application filed March 21,1879.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL J. RENZ, of Endson,in the county of Columbia and State of New York, have invented a newApparatus for Preserving Grapes and other "Fruit, of which the followingis a specification.

Figure 1 of drawings shows a plan view; Fig. 2, a sectional elevation.Fig. 3 is a plan of the absorbing-disk.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple and efficientapparatus for preserving fruit by creating a partial vacuum or ararefaction of the air in a vessel especially designed for the purpose,and by furnishing, in

combination with this, a medium for the absorption of what dampness ormoisture may emanate from the fruit.

I employ the vessel A, through the bottom of which is a central opening,a, that at times is closed by the perforated stopper 1), the hole inwhich may in turn be filled by the plug 0.

Encircling the vessel near its top is the flange B, and at its junctionwith the vessel is the groove d, formed partly in the vessel and partlyin the under side of the flange itself.

The cover 0 of the vessel is made with a downward-projecting rim, f,that shuts down on the flange B,and the under surface of the rim isfurnished with one or more annular grooves, g g.

' A ring, D, furnished with holes, from which the fruit to be preservedis suspended, is secured to the inner face of the cover; but in place ofthis, staples, screw-hooks, or the like may be employed.

The cover is pressed down and held in place by the adjustable fastenerE, which consists of a disk, It, with a grooved edge, in which isfastened a wire, t", from which hang suspended three or more hooks, k,whose inner curves are shaped to conform to the outlines of the rim ofthe cover, the flange of the vessel, and the groove d. Free motion ispermitted to these hooks by notches cut in the disk 71/ at their pointsof suspension on the wire.

Through the center of the disk is the screw 1, in whose upper end is thering m, and on whose lower end is a boss or cap, a, that is The processconsists in heating the vessel, which is preferably made of glass orglazed earthenware, to a temperature of 130? to 140 Fahrenheit, orthereabout, meanwhile secur-, ing the fruit that is to be preserved tothe inside of the cover. Then the vessel is withdrawn from the oven, theabsorbing-ring F is placed in its bottom, and the perforated stopper I)placed in the opening a. A rubber gasket or its equivalent, 1), is thenplaced upon the flange B, the fruit lowered into the vessel, thefastener E set in position, and the screw 5 turned down until the coveris pressed so tightly as to make its joint with the flange practicallyair-tight, and as a moderate pressure squeezes the gasket into thegrooves g g of the cover, this is easily accomplished. Then the plug 0is inserted in the stopper 1), and the vessel,'with its contents, isremoved to a cool cellar or other place. It is preferable to apply thisprocess to fruit immediately after t it has been plucked.

The absorbing-ring F is made of burnt or dried clay, plaster, or thelike, and serves as an absorbent of what moisture escapes from the fruitafter it is placed in the vessel. Care must be taken that it be of somenearly or quite odorless substance that will not impart a flavor to thefruit.

In conducting this process on a largescale it may be preferable, insteadof making use of heat to diminish or rarefy the air in the vessel, toapply an air-pump to the orifice a after the fruit is in the vessel, andby this means accomplish the desired object.

Should there be any appearance of mold' or mustiness at any time aboutthe fruit, the vessel may be ventilated by the withdrawal of the plug 0.The ring m serves as a handle in screwing down the screw Z and forcarrying and hanging the vessel.

To admit air about the bottom of the vessel when set on a shelf, itssides are prolonged below its bottom, and have several openings, s 8,made in them.

' vessels, and it affords to house-keepers a most simple and economicalmethod of keeping fruit through the winter season.

With respect to the means for securing the cover of the vessel, I wouldstate, in defining this part of my invention more clearly, that I amaware of English Patent No. 1,491 of 1 862, in which the cover of afruit-jar is secured by a screw connected with jointed arms engagingwith the under side of the flange of the jar. In such case, however, thearms being jointed vertically above the flange of the jar, the strain ofthe screw in securing the cover is parallel With the longitudinal axisof the jar, and hence liable to break off the flange of the jar.

I My invention is characterized by the followin g distinct features andadvantages The arms 70 being pivoted directly to the disk h, and thelatter being made of less diameter than the mouth of the jar, the saidarms occupy an oblique position to the longitudinal axis of the jar, andwhen the strain is applied in this direction the curve of the mouth ofthe jar forms an arch or truss between the arms 70 that enables themouth of the jar to better withstand the breaking strain.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. The within described fruit preserving vessel,provided with a bottom central opening, a, flange B, groove 01, andcover 0, having a grooved rim,f, and ring I), in combination with thestopper I), plug a, and fastener E, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

2. The combination of the cover 0, the screw 1, and the disk h, made ofless diameter than the cover or mouth of the jar, and provided with thejointed hooked arms K, substantially as and for the purpose described.

CARL J. BENZ.

Witnesses:

CRAWFORD E. Fmr'rs, M. D. HIRAM D. GAGE.

